Like any other high-end watch, every Tudor watch has a serial number. While that’s common knowledge to most people, very few understand what these numbers mean.
Tudor watch serial numbers indicate when each watch was manufactured to give the owner an idea of its age. The serial number is usually located between the lugs at the 6 o’clock point, and accessing it may require the removal of the watch’s bracelet.
The rest of this article will discuss Tudor watch serial numbers in greater detail. Read on to learn more about them and how they differ from other numbers you might find on your watch.
Table of Contents
What Are Tudor Watch Serial Numbers?
Tudor watch serial numbers are unique numbers engraved on each watch, usually between the lugs or on the bezel. In addition to indicating the year a watch was manufactured, they can also help users determine whether the watch authentic or a replica.
The serial numbers are not to be confused with reference numbers. All Tudor watches have both numbers, but each number type has a different meaning.
While the serial number is unique to each watch, the reference number is not. It is simply a code that represents the model of the watch, so any watch of the same model will have the same reference number. If you want to find out how old your watch is, the reference number won’t be of much use.
Another way to tell them apart is to check the location. While the serial number will either be located between the lugs at 6 o’clock or on the inner bezel, the reference number is often found between the lugs at 12 o’clock.
Finding Tudor Watch Serial Numbers
To find the serial number on a Tudor watch, you’ll need to examine the bezel closely. Most commonly, older models have serial numbers between the lugs, whereas newer models have them on the bezel.
If the serial number is on the bezel, you won’t need to remove any watch parts. That’s why it’s important to always check the watch before taking it apart.
It can be challenging to see the serial number because it’s tiny and blends in with the rest of the watch. It might be a good idea to use glasses or a magnifying glass if you don’t have the best eyesight.
If there is no serial number visible, you’ll need to remove the bracelet. To do this, you’ll need a small pin.
Here is how to remove the bracelet to reveal the serial number:
- Locate the 6 o’clock point of the watch.
- Place a pin in the tiny holes at both sides of the watch’s 6 o’clock point.
- That side of the bracelet should pop off once you place the pin in both holes.
- The serial number should now be visible.
Tip: If you want to locate the reference number, repeat the process on the 12 o’clock side.
Reading Tudor Watch Serial Numbers
Reading Tudor watches serial numbers might not be the most straightforward task, depending on how old your watch is. If your watch was made before 2002, it will be easier for you to read the serial number and understand what it means.
Why is this?
Well, before 2002, Tudor gave each watch a specific serial number that could easily be traced back to the date of manufacture. However, they abandoned this serial number formatting after that year.
Any watch made after 2002 has a randomized serial number, making it impossible to understand. So, if you’re hoping to find out when your newer watch was made, you might be out of luck.
The reason that newer models have a randomized serial number is to fight counterfeits. If your brand has predictable serial number generation, it’s easier for others to make counterfeit watches with real serial numbers. The randomized number is just an extra layer of brand protection.
But if you’re in luck and own an older watch, you can use this watch serial number decoder. It’s pretty straightforward to use: simply enter the necessary details, hit enter, and wait for the results.
Here are some examples of Tudor serial numbers and their corresponding year of manufacture:
- 140000: 1985
- 170000: 1986
- 190000: 1987
- 210000: 1988
- 260000: 1989
- B330000: 1990
- B360000: 1991
- B390000: 1992
- B500000: 1993
- B560000: 1994
- B590000: 1995
- B790000: 1996
- B850000: 1997
- B990000: 1998
- H130000: 1999
- H170000: 2000
- H240000: 2001
- H300000: 2002
If you own a newer watch model and still want to find out when it was manufactured, try the following hacks:
Contact Tudor for More Serial Information
If your watch is newer and you want to find out its exact year of production, you could try to contact Tudor directly. However, you likely won’t get much helpful information from them.
For some reason, Tudor tends to keep the information relating to each serial number private, so they often don’t give out too much information when people call them with queries. Still, it’s worth a shot getting in touch. You might get lucky, especially if you supply them with all the information they need to verify ownership.
Google the Reference Number
If your Tudor watch was made post-2002 and you’re finding it challenging to figure out what year it was made, the reference number might be helpful to you. You can Google the reference number and find out what model your watch is (unless you already know what the model is).
Once you find out what model the reference number corresponds to, you can research it and determine the years that particular model was in production. Of course, this method isn’t as precise as using the serial number. But it can give you an estimate of when it was manufactured.
This method won’t be helpful if the model is still in production. But if production ceased at some point, you’ll have a rough idea of the age of your Tudor watch.
Allow a Professional To Examine the Watch and Serial Number
Although it may not be a success, you could also try to visit a Tudor watch retailer or expert and allow them to examine your watch. Many Tudor retailers and experts are highly knowledgeable on many different models of watches, so they might have an idea of the era your watch was made.
They may be able to give you some valuable information by examining the case, bracelet, serial number, and reference number. However, it’s a good idea to manage your expectations because
A Tudor watch expert won’t always be able to determine the year of production solely based on this examination.
What Does it Mean If a Tudor Watch Lacks a Serial Number?
If a Tudor watch lacks a serial number, it’s likely fake. Serial numbers are proof of authenticity in luxury watches, and Tudors are no exception. Without a serial number, there’s no telling where and when your watch was made, and by whom.
That said, some fake Tudor watches can have serial numbers.
Sometimes, the serial numbers on fake Tudor watches are entirely made up. Other times, they are copied from an authentic serial number. If you think a number looks fake, try to contact Tudor directly and get them to confirm that your serial number is authentic.
Even if they confirm the serial number, that shouldn’t be the end of your authenticity check. A Tudor watch with a legit serial number doesn’t always indicate authenticity because it’s easy for sellers to copy these numbers onto a replica.
Here are some other things to look out for if you think your Tudor watch might be fake:
- Quality. If the watch feels light or doesn’t have that luxurious feel, it could be fake. Also, the watch is likely fake if you notice it scratches easily
- Logo and other small details. If you notice the logo looks off (crooked, rough edges, etc.), the watch is likely fake. Every last detail of a Tudor watch is usually fine-tuned, so there shouldn’t be any rough edges on your piece.
Debunking Whether the Serial Number Shows Where the Watch Was Manufactured
You may be wondering if the Tudor serial number indicates which country your watch was made in. The Tudor Serial number does not indicate a place of manufacture, unlike some other brands.
Tudor is a Swiss luxury watch brand, and you cannot get that title if the watches are not assembled in Switzerland. With that said, it makes so sense to state on every watch that it was made in Switzerland. Additionally, there’s no need to wonder where your Tudor watch was made (provided its authentic!).
Rolex Serial Number vs. Tudor Serial Number
Since Rolex owns Tudor, both brands have some similarities. One of the main similarities is the position of the serial numbers. With Rolex and Tudor watches, you can find the serial numbers on the bezel or between the lugs at 6 o’clock.
Another similarity between them is that their serial numbers are randomized. While Tudor’s serial numbers started becoming random in 2002, Rolex’s started becoming random in 2009. This makes it challenging to find the year of manufacture of both types of watches.
Summing Up
Tudor watch serial numbers indicate when the watch was manufactured. Before 2002, there was some logic to the serial numbers, however, serial numbers after 2002 are much harder to understand because they’re randomized.
If your watch was made before 2002, you can easily find the year of manufacture. But if it’s newer, you are likely out of luck.
Still, you can contact Tudor to learn more about your watch’s serial number. Alternatively, you can research when the model of your watch was in production. Both methods can give you a rough idea of what year it was made.
